Bird injury latest in a tough year

JACK Bird’s nightmare season at the Broncos has continued with the struggling big- name recruit sidelined for Friday night’s blockbuster against the Roosters at Suncorp Stadium.

Bird has attempted to play through the pain barrier for the past eight weeks but the NSW Origin utility has succumbed to a sternum injury that has plagued him since the pre- season.

The $ 3.5 million recruit played a secondary role yesterday at training, running with the Renegades squad while wearing a red vest to signify he was off- limits for contact work.

The loss of Bird, Alex Glenn ( knee) and Payne Haas ( shoulder) will pave the way for two more debutants in former Cowboys forward Patrick Mago and Ignatius Park College product, centre Gehamat Shibasaki.

The rookie duo trained with the main squad yesterday and are likely to appear on the interchange bench for the showdown with the Roosters team which broke Brisbane’s hearts in last year’s finals series.

“Jack’s sternum has been giving him grief and injuries like that are pretty sore,” hooker Andrew McCullough said.

“I’m not sure how long he is out but it gives someone an opportunity this week.

“They ( Broncos medicos) are trying to manage him.

“There is still a lot of football this year and if he can have a break over the next few weeks, it will be a blessing for him.”

McCullough says Bird has fitted well into the group despite his below- par form.

“Mentally he is fine,” he said. “He just wants to do his best for the team and it’s hard to do that when you are carrying a niggling injury.

“You worry about your performance and being a key recruit ... he will be fine, we’ll see how he goes after this week.”